Truck bolster



vOct. 11, 1.932. in. H. MARTIN TRUCK BQLSTER Filed April 2. 1950- z Sheets-She et 1 Llllll Oct. 11, 1932. M. H. MARQTIYN ,7

TRUCK BOLSTER Filed u 2. 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Get. 11, 1932 umrso stares] PATENT OFFICE mm a. MARTIN, or READING, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGHOB To iamnsnono srnnr.

' FOUNDRY amaonmn COMPANY, or mansnoao, rnnnsnvmm, A conrom'rron OF PENNSYLVANIA rancx nonsirna Application filed. spin a, 1930. .Ser1al.No. 440,936.

My invention relates to truck bolsters and is concerned more particularly with features relating to strengthening the bolster and effecting an improved distribution of; the load im osed thereon.

no object of my invention isto incorporate in a truck bolster provision, involving member of the truss constitutes a part of the lower web of the bolster and in which a portion of the center plate load is transmitted to said truss through vertical webs and a reenforcing structure disposed most advantageously for the carriage of the load. 7

A further object is to provide a truck bolster in which the metal is disposed to in-' crease the vertical and transverse strength thereof, particularly with a view of counteracting the tensile stresses in the bottom web of the bolster, and also to avoid the creation of shrinkage cracks in the casting .at the junction of the side walls with the bottom of the bolster. I

The present standard A. R. A. truck bolster is of hollow section and various methods have been proposed to adequately support the load imposed, on the center plate which is located on the upper web of the section. One of the schemes which has been widely adapted is to interpose a cylindrical column beneath the center plate and the lower web of the bolster, but this construction is characterized by an important operating disadvantage in that it gives rise to a region of.

localized, critical stresses in the lower web which materially affects the strength of the bolster and requires the section to be considerably heavier than is absolutely necesith this condition in mlnd, it is the ex- 7 press object of the present invention to devise an arrangement which may be incorporated in the standard form of truck bolster and in which any tendency to localize the stresses in the lower portion of the bolster isavoided through providing a novel truss structure which serves both .to strengthen the bolster and also to better distribute the load throughout the length thereof. This truss structure is connected to the upper web of the bolster by an arrangement of webs which functions to transmit the load to the truss structure and also to materially strengthen the upper web of the bolster in the reglon of the center plate. This truss and reenforcing structure is supplemented by a disposition of the metal in the side walls of the bolster below a. predetermined line interposed between the upper and lower webs thereof, the side walls specifically increasing in thickness below said line down to their junctions with the lower web for the purpose of further strengthenin the bolster and making a better casting jo at the junctions noted, avoiding the creation of shrinkage cracks.

These and further objects of my invention.

will be set forth in the following specification, reference bein had to' the accompanying drawings, and t e novel means by which said objects are efi'ectuated will be definitely pointed out in the claims.

In thedrawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevation, partly in section of my improved truck bolster, showing in dotted lines the body center plate and the king pin connecting this plate with the truck bolster.

' Fig. 2 is a plan View of the bolster as "viewed in Fig. 1 and Fig. 3 is also. a plan View, partly in section as taken along the line 33 in Fig. 1, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figs. l and 5 'are transverse sections taken along the lines 4-4 and 55 in Fig. 1, respectively, looking in the direction of the arrows.

The numeral 10 designates my improved truck bolster which is of hollow section as defined by an upper web 11, a lower web 12, and connecting side walls 1313. The

webs 11 and 12 are each of uniform thickness transversel of the bolster, but may taper longitudinally rom the center plate towards each end in accordance with standard pracwith the tice, and the side walls 13-13 are also of uniform thickness across any transverse section from the upper web 11 down to a line enerally indicated by the numeral 14 in ig. 1 which extends lengthwise of the bolster and which is substantially at the elevation of the lower web in the region of the guide lugs 15. Below the line 14:, the side walls 13 gradually increase in thickness transversely of the bolster down to their 'unction with the lower web 12. Disposed 1n the usual location on the upper web 11 intermediate the ends of the bolster is the customary center plate 16 which receives the body center plate 17 and which includes a centrally disposed hole 18 for the reception of the usual king pin 19, said king pin and body center plate being shown dotted in Fig. 1. Except for the tapering disposition of the metal in the side walls 13, the bolster as above described is substantially identical resent standard form of truck bolster an aside from the specific arrangement of said side walls, forms no part of the present invention.

As a means of adequately strengthening the bolster and further distributing the load imposed thereon, the following instrumentallties are provided: A truss structure 20 is arranged within the bolster beneath the center plate 16 and comprises a compression member 21 which is bridged across the lower web 12 of the bolster beneath the center plate 16 in a direction lengthwise of the bolster,

a tension member 22 which forms a part of the lower web 12, and side walls 23 which depend from .the opposite side edges of the compression member 21 in spaced relation to the side walls 1313 downwardly for junction with the tension member 22, as shown clearly in Fig. 4, the side walls 23 functioning generally as the posts or strutsof the truss.' In the interest of facilitating drainage and procuring a better castin the center portion of the compression mem r 21 may include a hole 24 extended therethrough and the end portions of said member may be cut away as at 25. Similarly, the center portion of the tension member'22 may include a drainage hole 26.

In order to transmit the load from the center plate 16 to the truss 20 a pair of webs 27 extend downwardly from the underside of the upper web 11 adjacent said center plate for junction at their lower-extremities with the compression member 21, said webs being spaced from the side walls 13 of the bolster pro er and ,substantiall in alignment with t e side walls 23 of t e truss 20. At the upper extremities of the webs 27, their junction /with the upper web 11 may be strengthened by gusset webs 28 which are dispose externally of the webs 27,, as shown clearly in Fig. 4, and between the webs 27 as a means of further strengthening the centhe beneath the center ter plate 16, a pair of webs 29 extend down wardly from the underside of said plate in substantial alignment with the gusset webs 28 and advantageously. disposed with refer.- ence to the application of the load on the upper side ofthe center plate 16, as indicated generically by the numeral 30 in Fig. 1. Ad-

acent their lower extremities, the webs 29 are bent toward each other, as shown by the numeral 31, andare shaped into a ocket 32 for thereception of the lower end 0 the king.

bottom web 12. This distribution of the load is facilitated by the depending web 29 which, in addition, functions to strengthen the cen-. ter filate and also to receive the lower end of structure is susceptible of being easily cast and maybe adapted to standard forms of ing pin19. This internal, strengthening truck bolsters without the necessity of making changes in other portions thereof. The tapering construction of the side walls 13 not only assists in strengthening the bolster as a unit and especially m counteractin the tensile stresses present in the lower we 12, but the thickened region at their junctions with the lower web 12 effectually serve to revent the creation of shrinkage cracks durmgthe coolin of the casting.

Whl e I have shown one set'of elements and combinations thereof for efiectuating my improved truck bolster, 1 it will be understood that the same is intended for purpose of illustration only and in'nowise to restrict my device to the exact forms and structures shown,

for many changesmay be made therein withtout departing from the spirit of my invenion.

I claim;

1. A truck bolster of hollow section having an internal truss structure disposed wholly beneath the center plate for receiving and distributing a portion of the load through the length of the bolster, the upper member of said truss being subjected to compressive stresses exclusively and spaced from the upper web of the bolster. 2. A truck bolster of hollow section having an internal truss structure disposed wholly distributing a len h .of the polster, the upper mem r of sai truss being subjected to compressive stresses exclu sively, and means interposed bean internal truss disposed beneath the center plate for receiving and portion of the load throu h the plate for receiving and distributing a portion of the load imposed on said plate, said truss comprising a compression member spaced from the upper web. of the bolster and a tension member forming part of the lower web of the bolster.

4. A truck bolster of hollow section having an internal truss disposed beneath the center plate for receiving and distributing a' ortion of the load imposed on said plate, said truss comprising a compression member and a tension member forming part of the lower web of the bolster, and means interposed between said truss and the center plate for transmitting the load.

5. A truck bolster of hollow section having an internal truss disposed beneath the center plate for receiving and distributing a portion of the load imposed on said plate, said truss comprising a compression member, a tension member forming part of the lower web of the bolster, and side walls depending from said compression member and joinin with said lower web.

6. A truck bolster of hollow section having an internal truss disposed'wholly beneath the center plate for receiving and distributing a portion of the load imposed on said plate and extending lengthwise of the bolster, said truss having a lengthgreater than the diameter of the center plate and the upper member of said truss being subjected to compressive stresses exclusively, and spaced from the upper wcb of the bolster.

7.-A truck bolster of hollow section comprising an upper web, a lower web, side walls connecting said webs, a truss formed on said lower web beneath the center plate, the upper member of said truss being subjected to compressive stresses exclusively, and means connecting said truss and upper web.

8. A truck bolster of hollow sect-ion having an internal truss structure disposed wholly beneath the center plate for receiving and distributing a portion of the load throu h the len h of the bolster, the upper mem er of sai truss being subjected to compressive stresses exclusively, and webs interposed be-' tween said structure and the center plate for transmitting the 'load. I

9. A truck bolster of hollow section having an internal truss disposed beneath the center plate for receiving and distributing a portion of the load imposed on said plate, said truss comprising a com ression member orm'mg part of the lower web of the bolster, and webs mter- I and a tension member posed between said com ression, member and r web of the ho ster for transmitting a portion of the load imposed on said plate.

10. A truck bolster of hollow section having an internal truss disposed beneath the center plate for receiving and distributing a ortion of the load imposed on said plate, said truss comprising a compression memher, a tension member forming art ofthe lower web of the bolster, and si e walls dending from'said compression member and Joining with said .lower web, and webs 8X? tending upward from said side walls for, Junction with the upper web of the bolsterL i 11. A tr ck bolster of hollow section hav-- a tension member forming part ofcenter plate comprising a compression member and a tension member formin part of the lower web of the bolster, we portions connecting said compression member and the upper web of the bolster, and a reenforcin means comprising webs depending from t e center plate and disposed transversely between and connecting said web portions, said reenforcing means being positioned within the peripheral edge of the center plate.

13. A truck bolster of hollow section having an internal truss disposed beneath the center plate comprising a compression member and a tension member forming part of the lower web ofthe bolster, web portions connecting said compression member and the upper web of the bolster, and a reenforcing means comprising webs depending from. the center plate and disposed transversely,

between and connecting said web portions, said reenforcing webs at their lower extremities extending toward each other and shaped to provide a end of the king pin.

14. A truck bolster of hollow section having an internal truss structure disposed wholly beneath the center plate for receiving and distributing a portion of the load through the length of the bolster. webs interposed between said structure and the center plate for transmitting the load therebetween, and gusset webs at the junction of the upper extremities of said first named webs with the center plate.

15. A truck bolster of hollow section having an internal truss disposed beneath the centerplate comprising a compression memher and a tension member forming part of the lower web of the bolster, web portionspocket for receiving the lower" transversely web portions.

16. A truck bolster of hollow section, the upper and lower webs each having a uniform thickness transversely of thebolster and the side walls having a transverse uniform thickness above a line between the up-' versely of the bolster, and side walls of transverse uniform thickness above a horizontal line extending longitudinally of the bolster and having substantially the same elevation as the lower web at the bolster ends and increasing in thickness downwardlytherefrom to the 'unction points with the lower web.

19. truck bolster of hollow section, the upper and lower webs each having a uniform thickness transversely of the bolster,

and the side walls havinga transverse uniform thickness above .a horizontal line extending longitudinally of the bolster and having substantially the same elevation as the lower web at the bolster ends and increas-- ing in thickness downwardly therefrom to the junction points-with the lower web.

20 A truck bolster of hollow section comprising an upper web of transverse uniform thickness, a lower web of transverse uniform thickness, side walls connecting said webs and having a transverse uniform thickness above a line between the upper and lower webs and increasing in thickness downwardly therefrom to the junction points with the lower web, a truss formed on said lower web beneath the center, plate, and'means connecting saidtruss and upper web.

21. A truck bolster of hollow section,.having an internal truss disposed beneath the center plate comprisinga compression memher and a tension member forming part of the lower webof the bolster, web portions con-' necting said compression member and the upper web of the bolster, reenforcing means comprising webs depending from the center plate and disposed transversely between and connecting said web portions, and gusset webs aligned with said reenforcing webs and disposed at the junction of the upper extremities of the latter with the center plate.

22. A truck bolster of hollow section having an internal truss disposed beneath the center plate for receiving and distributing a portion of the loadimposed on said plate, sald truss comprising a compression member,

between and connecting said a tension member formin part of the lower web of the bolster, side wa ls depending from said compression member and joining with we said lower web, and webs extending upward from and in alignment with said side walls for junction with the upper web of the 4 bolster.

23. A truck bolster of hollow section having an internal truss disposed beneath the center plate for receiving and distributing a portion of the load imposed on said plate, said truss comprising a tension member forming part of the lower web of the bolster and a compression member connected at its ends to said lower web and spaced from the upper web of the bolster.

24. A truck bolster of hollow section comprising a lower web portion depressed intermediate the bolster ends and having an in} .ternal truss disposed wholly beneath the center plate, the compression member of said truss being spaced from the upper web of the bolster and bridged across a predetermined length of said depressed web portion and the tension member forming part of said depressed, web.

25. A truck bolster of hollow section com prising a lower web portion depressed intermediate the bolster ends and having an inter nal truss disposed wholly beneath the center plate, hecompression member of said truss being bridged across a predetermined length 1 of said depressed web portion and a tension member forming part of said depressed-lower web, and means interposed between said truss and the center plate for transmitting the load. I

26. A truck bolster of hollow section having-an internal truss disposed beneath the center plate for receiving and distributing a portion of the load imposed on said plate,

said truss having a compression member.

spaced from the upper web of the bolster.

27. A truck bolster of hollow section having an internal trussdisposed beneath .the center plate for receiving and distributing a portion of the load imposed on said plate, said truss having a compression member spaced from the upper web of the bolster, and means inter osed between said member and the center p ate for transmitting the load.

28. A truck bolster of hollow section'having an internal truss disposed beneath the center plate for'receiving and distributing a portion of the load imposed on said plate and extending lengthwise of the bolster, said truss havin a length greater than the diameterof the center plate, the compression member of said truss being spaced from the upper web of the bolster and the tension megiber forming part of the bolster lower we v 29. Atruck bolster of hollow section having an internal truss disposed beneath the center plate for receiving and distributing a memes portion of the load imposed on said plate, the compression member of said truss being spaced from the upper web of the bolster, and webs interposed between said com ression member and the upper web of the b0 ster for transmitting the load.

30. A truck bolster of hollow section comprising an upper web of transverse uniform thickness, a lower web of transverse uniform thickness, side walls connecting said web and having a transverse uniform thickness above a line between the upper and lower webs and increasing in thickness downwardly therefrom to the junction point with the lower web, a truss located within the bolster be-' neath the center late, the compression member of sald truss eing spaced from the upper web of the bolster, and means connecting said compression member and upper web.

31. A truck bolster of hollow section comprising a lower web portion depressed intermediate the bolster ends and having an internal truss disposed wholly beneath the center plate, the compression member of said truss being bridged across a predetermined length of said depressed web portion and spaced from the upper web of the bolster.

32. A truck bolster of hollow section comprising a lower web portion depressed intermediate the bolster ends and having an internal truss disposediwholly beneath the center plate, the compression member of said truss being bridged across a predetermined length of sad depressed web portion, and means interposed between said member and the center plate for transmitting the load.

In testimony whereof, I have subscribed my name. 

